Guys!!! Friend Week is going great… well at least in my opinion! Keep bringing your new or old friends in, we would love to have them! Tomorrow is going to be lots of fun so make sure to show up smiling with your buddy. Maybe wear matching shirts so we know who belongs to who…

Anyway, I have the much awaited blog post from Coach E$!

Without further ado,
<3 Coach Miss J

Forging an Elite Fetus: Erin’s Journey
9th

[and final!] month

Ah, the sweet challenge of a new human being entering your CrossFit lifestyle. As everyone knows, I was pregnant and due to have a sweet little miss on or around May 15. Many of you have asked questions, guys and girls alike, about how exactly this whole CrossFit thing works while you’re pregnant. Well, I’m here to hopefully shed some light on being a preggo CrossFitter. Remember to keep in mind, this is my experience only and every woman has a different experience during their pregnancy.

Weeks 36-40 make up the final month of pregnancy [for most]. I think it’s safe to say that this final month was insanely difficult on my overall peace of mind at the gym. Even though I had movements that I could rely on for a great workout [KB swings, knees to chest, press, double-unders, push press, back squats, front squats, jogging, rowing, push ups [belly button to floor], air squats, preggo burpees, and general mobility], I still felt like I was alone on redemption island on Survivor: CrossFit Preggo Edition.

E$ Box squatting in her 9th month. Yea, and with better deth than most of you.

I did my best to do all of the metcon’s Rx and managed to continue to do the workouts with the rest of the group most of the time. Understandably so, with my limited mobility and my crazy work schedule in April, I cut down my workout’s to a few times a week, including Saturday’s. Even though I was very uncomfortable working out with my enlarged midsection, I knew it was what my body [and my baby] needed to be happy and healthy in the long-run. So, I continued on! In fact, I worked out for a couple hours on Saturday, May 14 [three days before I gave birth!]…

Coach E$ working out 3 days before birth!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Warm up: Five hours of – contractions three minutes apart, lasting one minute each

Metcon: For time – birthing a baby, game style

Finisher: Sit and stare at an absolutely gorgeous life that Ben and I brought to this world

Smiling just like mommy! You know who she takes after.

Teigan 3 days old!

So on Tuesday, May 17, at 40 weeks and 2 days, I was awakened early in the morning by contractions that were more intense than the ones I had been having for the couple weeks prior. After a quick text to my doc to make sure I wasn’t jumping the gun [yeah, we text…], Ben and I decided to head to the hospital. It was determined I was in labor and I was admitted at 10am.

Eeeekk – the time had finally come! Leaving out details [you’re welcome, gentlemen], we were blessed with Teigan Elizabeth Slocum at 2:58pm. Weighing in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 21”, I’m happy to say that I was in labor for about five hours and only had to push four times… all with absolutely no medication; all natural, baby! YAY!

How did I do this particular metcon Rx? I breathed my way through it, much like I do at CFKT. Don’t get me wrong, giving birth is much, much, much more taxing on your body than The Badger, but, I went to the same pain cave [perfect reference, Adam] to get through it.

In addition to getting through the labor relatively easily with no meds, I have already lost all 24 lbs. of my baby weight gained during pregnancy [yes, it’s only been one week!]. Along with breast-feeding, I attribute this to maintaining an active CrossFit lifestyle during my entire pregnancy. I also think that coaching and training during my pregnancy is a lot of the reason why Teigan is so stinkin’ laid back. She is a great eater, fabulous sleeper, and so ridiculously good looking [obviously because of CFKT’s influence]!

I still have a lot of work to do in terms of getting my old abs and mid-section back, but I feel confident that slowly getting back into working out while I heal will get me there in no time.

For all of you lucky folks at the gym who have recently found out you’re pregnant, you have so much to look forward to. These are, hands down, the best days of our life so far. Our hearts are so full; it’s unlike anything you can ever imagine. We are so in love and know you will be, too.

CrossFitter in training!

Signing off for the pregnancy portion of my CrossFit Ktown Forging an Elite Fetus blog series, but I’ll let you all know when Teigan is training for her first muscle-up. Can’t wait for all of you to meet her [we’ll be by soon; promise!]…

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10 Comments

One of the best and most amazing days of my life! Guys and Gals Erin rocked it! When I reflect on the day so many things I can attribute to Erin’s dedication to continue to Crossfit throughout the pregnancy. There are way too many to list, so ask me if you are interested.

Dudes: when the day comes and if your wife/significant other is a crossfitter help her to continue to workout. It will make your life so much easier, I promise.

kpvogel
May 25, 2011 at 11:09 am

You are a rockstar, Erin! Congrats to the whole family and enjoy that precious nugget!!!

Rise Up
May 25, 2011 at 11:20 am

So happy for you guys and what an amazing journey you have taken us on the past nine months. I know you have inspired a lot of people with your hard work and determination. Keep up the great work cause this is just the beginning of your wonderful life with beautiful baby Teigan. Can’t wait to meet the little princess.
Oh, Ben let me know when the first boyfriend shows up so I can play the crazy uncle that just got out of prison. =o)

Erin, you are an inspiration to us all. Your hard work has and will continue to pay off.

Stay who you are, don’t change. HAGS.

G

Lee
May 25, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Erin, I have so enjoyed reading about your Crossfit adventures- you are incredible! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures with little Teigan!

Rachael the Diva
May 25, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Erin,
You were beautiful before baby Teigan and now you are 10x’s that with the glow of being a new mommy. I can’t belive you gave birth the natural way, and I give you all the props in the world for doing so, however, this diva will have meds all the way. You have been an incredible inspiration and I can only hope that one day I too can acheive some sort of “normal” workout routine :) I can’t wait to meet her and check on how you are doing as well…maybe next week sometime :) You and Ben are fantastic parents and I couldn’t be more proud. Love ya’ll!

Callie
May 25, 2011 at 8:07 pm

Awww, what a great post and awesome adventure!! In life & as CrossFit inspirations. Can’t wait to meet her. =-)

G8r Dave
May 25, 2011 at 8:50 pm

Beautiful family…only why is Teigan wearing gloves in the burpee-bib pic? No matching purse in sight…how’s she going to toughen up those mitts?

Elizabeth Patterson
May 26, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Congrats Ben and Erin!!!! Your little girl is absolutely beautiful! Thank you, Erin, for blogging about your preggers journey and being such an inspiration! I can only hope to be so rockin’ awesome when the day arrives. I couldn’t be any happier for your beautiful family :)

Ashley Hamby
May 29, 2011 at 11:38 pm

Erin!! Loved the blog … You are a great writer and such an inspiration to so many prego’s out there! I have to say you made me a nervous wreck swinging those weights all around like you were not 9 months pregnant but I saw you just a few days ago and you looked AMAZING….. Obviously all your hard work paid off big time cause I have never seen anyone bounce back from being Prego in week but you certainly did!! I am very proud of you and you are one heck of a mother!!
For anyone who has not seen Teigan prepare yourselves to meet the most precious, most Beautiful baby you have ever laid your eyes on!